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Power Companies Agree to Turn Over Documents Demanded by Attorney General Lockyer for Investigation of Electricity Pricing Practices

Tuesday, May 22, 2001

Contact: (415) 703-5837, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Attorney General Bill Lockyer announced today that Reliant Energy, Mirant Corporation and Dynergy have agreed to turn over the documents demanded in the California Department of Justice's investigation of possibly unlawful or anti-competitive behavior affecting soaring electricity prices in the state.

The agreement by the power companies avoids a hearing Friday in San Francisco Superior Court on the Attorney General's motion to compel the power companies to comply with the subpoenaes. The Attorney General went to court after the power companies failed to meet a March 19 deadline for furnishing documents sought in the investigation.

"We simply want the power companies to stop dragging their feet as though they have something to hide," Lockyer said. "Until now, we saw these power companies throwing up legal hurdles to impede our investigation."

Under the stipulation filed with the court today, the power companies will furnish subpoenaed documents, including confidential documents, in their possession, custody or control. The Attorney General has agreed not to share the confidential information with other governmental agencies involved in the investigation, pending a court hearing next month on the issue of whether the Attorney General may provide the confidential information to other investigating agencies.